The first time I picked up a Larabar at the grocery store, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Meghan became instantly addicted, wanting to eat them for her snack every day. At $1.79 a pop, that just wasn’t going to happen. I started experimenting in the kitchen and found out that making them at home was insanely easy. She loves the Peanut Butter Cookie Bars and Cinnamon Raisin Cookie Bars I make for her and I personally like the homemade versions better than what you get in the store.
When my parents came for Christmas and brought all kinds of homemade goodies, including some dried bananas my dad made in his dehydrator, I knew instantly that I’d be adding a banana-flavor to my ‘Larabar’ repertoire. The flavor of these little “cookies” is incredibly similar to banana bread, but without all the sugar, butter, and flour. With only 4 ingredients, this is a healthy and delicious toddler snack!
I always used to shape my ‘Larabar’ creations into bars, just like the kind you get in the store. Then one reader commented that she cut them into a cookie shape. I gave it a try and was hooked! I can’t find the comment and don’t remember what reader it was, but I want to give a big thank you for the suggestion! If it’s you, ‘fess up and take credit! The cookie shape is perfect for little hands and makes me feel like I’m really indulging in a cookie.
Grab your ingredients! This is all you need:
Raw Banana Bread Cookies
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 - 20 cookies 1x
Description
No bake cookies for an easy and tasty snack
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 3/4 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup dried bananas
- 1/4 cup almonds
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until the mixture starts to form a ball and is wet-looking. You may need to scrape the sides occasionally to help incorporate everything. If you have a small blender (like a Magic Bullet) you will need to do this in batches.
- Empty the “dough” onto a piece of wax paper. Using your clean hands, press the mixture down so it is even and flat.
Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut into small cookies.
Reshape the remaining dough and continue until you’ve used it all. It takes a few minutes for them to firm up, but they are equally delicious if you eat them right away. Store on the counter in an air-tight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 20
- Calories: 64
- Sugar: 5.4g
- Sodium: 1.3g
- Fat: 3.7g
- Carbohydrates: 7.3g
- Protein: 2g
If you have a banana lover at your house, you definitely need to try this recipe. It’s such a quick and easy snack that’s great for on-the-go. An added bonus is that it’s actually a healthy snack.
Are these sticky? It is pretty hot where i live so wondering how they would fare. And are they a good option for a travel snack? My toddler loves bananas and i know she will gobble them up in seconds.
They are sticky, but I think they’d be a good travel snack. They are sticky the way a Larabar is sticky. I haven’t made these in a while, so thanks for the reminder–they are one of my faves! 🙂
Do these freeze well? I’m going to try them!
I have never tried freezing them, but they do keep for a long time.
Should the peanuts and almonds need to be “raw” for this recipe? Do you soak your almonds before using them? I have roasted peanuts & almonds from the grocery store, and am wondering if I need to do any additional prep. Guess I could try it straight out of the cans and see what happens! 🙂
Sorry I didn’t reply to this sooner–I was unplugged for most of the weekend. Raw or roasted works. I don’t soak the almonds for this recipe. Good luck! 🙂
I stumbled across your blog yesterday while looking for a healthy veggie alphabet soup (loved the recipe, making it later today!). I have been digging around through the archives and have found so many recipes that I want to try. I’m so happy to find a resource for healthy meals that I can actually make for my family! Thank you!
I’m glad you found me! I hope your family enjoyed the alphabet soup. 🙂
We just got the equipment to be able to make these at home over Christmas! We’ve wanted to make some at home but stock-piled on Larabars @ home during a sale and are still eating through the stash! (Our kids LOVE them too!)
I’m going to be making these for sure!!
Isn’t life so much easier when you have the right kitchen equipment? 🙂
It worked, Maryea! They were delicious and my family has been snacking on them all day. I used the TJ’s flattened banana. The only thing is I did have to add a couple tsp. of water to the mixture in my food processor. Otherwise, they turned out great. And, I used a heart shaped cookie cutter. Thanks for the recipe.
I bet they were cute with a heart shaped cookie cutter! Glad to hear I’ll still be able to make these after my supply of my dad’s dried bananas runs out. 🙂
That looks great! I will definitely try it. I’m a fan of larabars…but I try not to buy them very often because I always tell myself I could make it at home!
Yum…I’m definitely trying these! It was me who made them into cookie shapes, but don’t give me too much credit! I was being lazy and it was easier to do…I “pattied” them instead of cutouts…great idea!
Thanks again for the idea! I love them in the cookie shape.
These look so good! Do you think that Trader Joes flattened bananas would work in this recipe? The only thing I worry about is how they will do in my food processor because they are a bit hard/chewy. I’m going to give it a try. Thanks!
I do think those would work. I was thinking of those when I decided to post this recipe because I wouldn’t want to post something that you need homemade dried bananas for. Let me know if you give it a try.
Yum! These look delicious!